Kruger United coach Abraham Mongoya has issued an update on experienced midfielder Celimpilo Ngema, who is yet to feature for the club this season.
Ngema was an integral part of the Kruger United side that was crowned champions of the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season. The 28-year-old had joined the club after two seasons at AmaZulu FC.
However, Ngema has not played any part in the club’s first four matches of the season in the Betway Premiership. This follows an injury he suffered towards the end of the 2025/26 National First Division campaign.
The Mpumalanga-based club has lost three and drawn one of their four matches and currently languish at the bottom of the Betway Premiership log.
KRUGER UNITED COACH EXPLAINS WHY CELIMPILO NGEMA HAS NOT FEATURED FOR THE CLUB
Speaking after their 2-0 loss to Durban City FC at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening, Mongoya says the former Marumo Gallants player may still need a few more weeks before he gets back to the team.
“He’s coming alright. I think he is not far from coming into the team,” Mongoya told journalists. “Just a few more weeks and then he needs to start his rehabilitation. Once he gets fit, then we will integrate him into the team.”
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With the club still to win a match since their promotion to the elite league, Mongoya insists that there is no reason to press the panic button as yet. Mongoya says it’s only a matter of time before the club secures a win and restores the players’ confidence.
“We will continue to work. I think it’s just maybe getting the confidence of that one win and then the mentality will change,” added Mongoya.
“All we need is to change the mentality from not getting the results because there is pressure as a team that we put ourselves in because we have targets that we want to achieve. I think we are going to score goals and win games. We just need one win.”
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